Pregnancy and childbirth can bring significant changes to your body. These changes can include weight gain, stretch marks, and a loss of muscle tone. On top of this, hormonal changes can contribute to postpartum depression and anxiety- but even if you don't experience these mental health issues, chances are you won't feel like 'yourself' for some time. It's so important to focus on healthy habits, rather than a number on the scale as you move back towards your regular self. Eating a balanced diet and practicing self-care can help you feel better physically and emotionally, some physical activity is great too and you could even exercise with your baby! Remember that it takes time for your body to heal and adjust to the changes that come with motherhood, and accept that you might have permanently changed in some ways after your body has housed a child. And that's a beautiful thing, and so worth it!

Healthy habits are essential for new mums, but they can be challenging to maintain when you have a newborn to care for. According to a study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, new mothers are more likely to eat a poor diet due to lack of time and energy- when you're absolutely exhausted it makes sense that you're more likely to grab those simple carbs and sugars for energy (or just anything that's convenient!) One thing you can do before your baby comes along is to meal prep, batch cook a ton of your favourite healthy meals and then store them individually in Tupperware in the freezer. That way you always have a tasty meal on hand you just need to throw it in the microwave for a few minutes. You'll get in all the right nutrients without even thinking about it and be less likely to order takeaways or live on processed convenience foods. Remember to keep taking your multivitamin too, chances are you took one all through pregnancy anyway so it's a habit that should be easy to keep up. And staying hydrated is key, if you're breast feeding especially then you'll need a lot more water than you usually would, so bear this in mind. 

After having a baby, it's natural for couples to experience changes in their relationship. You're both more tired, you have less time and the pressures and responsibilities that have now been placed on you can be a challenge. It's so important to support each other during this time, a little reassurance goes a long way. Communicate, and work together as a team; according to a study published in the journal Couple and Family Psychology, couples who engage in open communication and work together as a team are more likely to have a successful transition to parenthood. This includes finding ways to share responsibilities, creating a support system, and prioritising time together as a couple. Simple acts like going for a walk together with the pram or catching up on a show together in the evenings are things most new families can manage. Popping out for quick lunches together with the baby with you can be manageable, especially during the earlier days when your newborn sleeps a lot. This can be a chunk of time that you can chat, catch up and enjoy each other's company.

Returning to work after having a baby can be challenging, both emotionally and logistically. Decide if you plan on returning to work, and if you do, what that will look like for you. Do you have family support with childcare, if not what nanny, babysitter or nursery will you use? How will your mornings look getting yourself and your baby ready to leave the door, and who will be responsible for picking them up at the end of the day? You could speak to your work about flexible working hours or even working from home, whatever you do be sure to plan ahead and find ways to make the transition as smooth as possible.